REVEALED: The Norfolk region where one in four children are obese

The data places the borough as one of the worst areas in the country, with an obesity rate of 25.4pc, compared to a national average of 21.6pc.

The statistics come from the National Child Measurement Programme, a government health programme which monitors obesity rates among state-school pupils in their first and last year of primary school.

Great Yarmouth is in the top 15pc of year six obesity rates nationwide (Image: Archant)

The rate for Yarmouth pupils in reception class is 12.6pc, which is also far above the national average of 10.18pc.

The statistics tell a similarly troubling story for several other parts of the county, with four of its seven council areas showing year six obesity rates over the national average.

West Norfolk leads the region in terms of reception-aged obesity with a rate of 13.2pc, with Breckland (11.1pc) and East Suffolk (10.7pc) joining Great Yarmouth among regions above the national average.

The alarming numbers have prompted concern from Mike Smith-Clare, county councillor for Yarmouth Nelson and Southtown.

“It’s truly upsetting to see the impact obesity can have on children’s lives, not just in terms of their immediate health but in their long term lifestyle choices. ” he said.

Mike Smith-Clare said the figures as "truly upsetting" (Image: Labour........

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